Wojdan made history during the Olympics when she was selected by the kingdom to compete in judo at the Games, though the opportunity was almost derailed when the International Judo Federation said she could not compete wearing a head scarf.

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The teen and her father signed an agreement with Saudi Olympics officials that she would be allowed to compete only if she wore "correct and approved" clothing that "sticks to Islamic principles," according to Saudi National Olympic Committee representative Razen Baker.

"She was smiling on the way out. She told me 'I did it. Next time I'll win.' I cried when I heard that," said Shaherkani, who worked as a referee in the men's Judo competition.

"She's amazing. Really, she's amazing."

Perhaps the most difficult thing for the family has been the reaction of some in their native Saudi Arabia.

"I want everyone to respect my daughter. I respect all the people talking about my daughter when she went to London - they either accepted her trip or not," Shaherkani said.

"I respect all these people. But whoever talks bad about my daughter, will be punished."

The family has seen a change in attitude since Wojdan began her Olympic journey.

Before the Games, Shaherkani about 75 percent of the people in the country disapproved with his daughter's Olympic effort "because it's a new thing for Saudi Arabia to go outside the kingdom as a woman and compete in public."

"People think we are breaking our religion. But in our mind, we are not doing that. We are doing something I am proud of," he said. "We gave the whole world a good picture of the women in Saudi Arabia."

Since the competition, he said "maybe 80 to 85 percent" agree with his daughter's effort.

"I hope my daughter can perform in the next Olympics in 2016. In four years she will be better," he said.